Method and System for Administering Micro-Ingredient Feed Additives To Animal Feed Rations Including Controlled Bin Access

ABSTRACT

A method and system are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives wherein controlled access is provided to the bins or containers that store the micro-ingredients prior to delivery thereby preventing inadvertent errors in adding incorrect micro-ingredients to a feed ration as well as to provide a measure of security to prevent tampering with the micro-ingredients in the bins. A micro-ingredient delivery system typically includes a plurality of bins that store designated micro-ingredients therein. Each bin may have a locking device thereby restricting access to the bin, along with a switch indicating whether the bin access cover is open or closed. A master controller of the delivery system provides signals to lock or unlock the locking devices based upon authorizations provided to access the bins in accordance with the particular operating parameters and requirements of the delivery system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to micro ingredients added to feed rationsfor animals such as livestock, and more particularly, to a method andsystem for administering micro-ingredient feed additives whereincontrolled access is provided to the bins or containers that store themicro-ingredients prior to delivery thereby preventing inadvertenterrors in adding incorrect micro-ingredients to a feed ration as well asto provide a measure of security to prevent tampering with themicro-ingredients.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Providing animals with various dietary supplements and medications suchas vitamins, mineral, enzymes, hormones, and antibiotics is a common andwell-known practice in the livestock and poultry industries. The mannerin which these supplements are combined with a consumptive fluid carriersuch as water is disclosed in a number of patents to include the U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,889,443; 4,815,042; 4,733,971; 5,219,224; and 5,487,603. Inthese references as well as many others, it is known to utilizeautomated systems which dispense discrete amounts of micro-ingredients,combine the micro-ingredients, and then deliver the micro-ingredients toa feed ration, typically in a slurry mixture. These micro-ingredientsare typically added to the animal feed rations using mixing or sprayingmethods. Some animal feed supplements include pharmaceuticals. Mixingthese pharmaceuticals with animal feed causes them to be subject to theregulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Accordingly, thelocations that produce these medicated feed rations must maintaincompliance with FDA regulations. Such locations may be routinelyinspected by FDA personal, and are subject to various reportingrequirements. Therefore, it is imperative that equipment used in theprocesses is capable of accurately and precisely metering, dispensing,and mixing quantities of the micro-ingredients.

One focus for most of the prior references that disclose equipment usedfor dispensing and mixing micro-ingredients is to improve accuracy andprecision in delivering the micro-ingredients. Over time, greatimprovements have been made in providing reliable systems for deliveringmicro-ingredients.

The most common method for measuring the amount of a micro-ingredient tobe used in a designated ration is use of one or more weigh scales thatweigh the amount of each micro-ingredient delivered to the ration. Theweight measurement may be achieved in various methods such asmeasurement of loss in weight or measurement of gain in weight. Loss inweight refers to measuring the weigh loss of a particular bin that hasdispensed the micro-ingredient, the loss in weight corresponding to theamount of the micro-ingredient dispensed from the bin. Gain in weightrefers to measuring the amount of a micro-ingredient delivered to areceiving container, the increase in weight corresponding to the amountof the micro-ingredient delivered to the receiving container. Anothercommon method of measuring the amount of a micro-ingredient that hasbeen dispensed is measurement by volume. It is known that certaindelivery mechanisms such as an auger have the capability to accuratelyand precisely dispense a known quantity of a micro-ingredient over aperiod of time. Thus, measurement of a delivered micro-ingredient can bedetermined on a volumetric basis wherein an amount delivered isdetermined by the length of time that the delivery mechanism isactivated. Volume measurement is particularly useful with respect tomeasurement of liquid micro-ingredients.

Despite the accuracy and precision of the machines that deliver themicro-ingredients, and despite the improved computer processingequipment that may be used to calculate required amounts and to recorddeliveries to designated feed batches, errors can still be made indelivering the micro-ingredients to the designated feed ration. One typeof error that can occur despite the above-mentioned improvements is thesimple failure to load the designated storage bin with the correctmicro-ingredient. For each micro-ingredient used in an automatedmicro-ingredient delivery system, each bin must be pre-designated tohold a specified micro-ingredient so that the correct types and amountsof the micro-ingredient are dispensed once the automated deliverysequence begins. The micro-ingredient bins and the delivery devicesconnected thereto, such as augers and pumps, do not have the inherentcapability to distinguish between loaded micro-ingredients. Rather, thebins are simply sized to hold a designated quantity of whateveringredient is loaded therein, and the delivery devices operate todispense designated amounts of the ingredients from the bins asinstructed by commands generated from a controller. The commands may bebased on a timed delivery, or based on loss in weight or gain in weightmethods.

One object of the present invention is to provide controlled access tothe bins that hold the micro-ingredients prior to delivery

Another object of the present invention is to provide a micro-ingredientdelivery system and method wherein controlled access is provided throughthe controller and wherein an appropriate remedial action can bespecified by the controller in response to a particular alarm conditionor system malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reliable yet costeffective solution for controlled access to the bins.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide amicro-ingredient delivery system whereby accurate records may be kept tocomply with required governmental regulations to include recordation ofthe types and amounts of micro-ingredients loaded in each different binof the system and ultimately delivered to the designated feed rations.

In all of the foregoing objects, a micro-ingredient delivery system andmethod is provided that still provides an accurate and precise means ofdelivering the micro-ingredients, yet the system is made even morereliable by providing controlled access to the bins that store themicro-ingredients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a method and system areprovided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animalfeed rations wherein access to the micro-ingredients is controlled byuse of bins that each have integral locking mechanisms that arecontrolled as system components by the system controller. In a typicalmicro-ingredient system, a number of bins are provided that hold bothliquid and dry micro-ingredients. Some type of access is provided to theinterior of each bin, such as a cover or lid that enablesmicro-ingredients to be added to the bin. A delivery device isassociated with each bin in order to dispense the micro-ingredient fromthe bin to another container, such as a common receiving container thatallows the ingredients to be conveyed as a group to the designated feedration. The bins are periodically loaded with micro-ingredients tosatisfy the daily feed calls. System operators must therefore chargeeach bin with the correct micro-ingredient to ensure that the correctmicro-ingredient is added to the designated feed ration. There are twoprimary types of errors that can occur in adding micro-ingredients tothe respective bins. The first type of error is adding a particularmicro-ingredient to a bin, and that micro-ingredient is not specified inthe feed ration to be prepared. The other type of error is themicro-ingredient specified for a particular feed ration is added to theincorrect bin. Either of these errors will result in the incorrect mixof micro-ingredients delivered to a feed ration. The bins and dispensingdevices do not have any inherent means in which to confirm the identityof the micro-ingredients loaded in the bins. Accordingly, ensuring thatthe correct ingredients are added to the designated bins is entirelydependent upon the operator correctly charging each of the bins. Overtime, bins may be designated to hold different types ofmicro-ingredients, since batch requirements for different feed rationswill change over time.

To provide controlled access to the bins and to thereby prevent thewrong micro-ingredients from being placed in the wrong bins, a lockingdevice/mechanism is placed on the opening access to each bin. Thelocking devices are linked to the controller that controls the automaticdispensing of the micro-ingredients. The controller provides signals toplace the locking devices in either a locked or unlocked position. Inthe locked position, access to the bins is prevented. In the unlockedposition, an operator may remove the access cover or panel that is usedto gain access to the bin. A contact switch may also be incorporated onthe bins to indicate whether the cover of the bin has been removed, itbeing understood that depending on the type of locking device used, asignal indicating that the lock is in a particular position may notindicate whether an access cover has actually been removed from the bin.

The controller used to control access to the bins is preferably the samemaster controller that is used to control basic functioning of theautomated micro-ingredient delivery system. One typical arrangement ofthe master controller in a micro-ingredient delivery system comprises aprogrammable logic controller (PLC) with input/output modules that sendcontrolling signals to the mechanical/electrical devices in the deliverysystem, and also receive input signals from these devices as theautomated delivery sequences are conducted. The PLC may also besupplemented with a standard personal computer that interfaces with thePLC and an external animal management system. The computer sends mixingor batching instructions to the PLC. The computer receives informationfrom the external animal management system to include instructions as towhich feed rations should be prepared for a designated facility.

In addition to the controller used in the micro-ingredient deliverysystem, a separate access control can be provided solely for allowingmaintenance personnel or operators to access the bins storing themicro-ingredients. There may be limited times during which access can bemade to the bins during operation of micro-ingredient delivery system.For example, a delivery system may not be available for maintenanceduring normal working hours, and it may be necessary for maintenancepersonnel to conduct maintenance on the bins or to otherwise address aproblem that has arisen with regard to the bins or the delivery devicesconnected to the bins. In such cases, it is advantageous to provide aseparate access control feature for sole purposes of providing access tothe bins without having to gain access through the master controller. Byuse of this separate access control device, authorization can beprovided to selected maintenance or other personnel without compromisingoverall system security.

Prior to delivering the micro-ingredients from the bins for a particularbatch of feed, it may be necessary to charge a bin with amicro-ingredient such that there is enough of the micro-ingredientwithin the bin to satisfy the next scheduled batch. In order to confirmthat the correct micro-ingredient is to be added to the designated bin,the micro-ingredient must first be authenticated. To achieveauthentication, a barcode device is incorporated in the micro-ingredientdelivery system. The bar code device communicates with the mastercontroller, and a barcode scanner of the bar code device is used to scanbarcode information on the packages of the micro-ingredients that areintended to be added to the bins. When the barcode on themicro-ingredient package is scanned, a command from the controller canbe generated to unlock the lock located on the cover of the bin thatstores the corresponding micro-ingredient, thereby allowing themicro-ingredient to be added to the bin. If the bar code informationdoes not match an approved ingredient for the designated batch of feedration, the controller can maintain the lock in the locked position, andcan then generate an appropriate error message such as a user-interfacemessage indicating the nature of the problem. In the memory of thecontroller, one or more databases can reside which contain a wide arrayof information on the micro-ingredients to be used for each type of feedration, and the micro ingredients actually used in preparation of eachbatch of feed ration. Such information may include manufacturers, lotnumbers, and any other information that is incorporated in the barcodescheme. When the micro-ingredient has been added to the designated bin,a further check can be made to ensure that the micro-ingredient scannedcorresponds to the micro-ingredient actually placed in the open bin. Oneway to conduct this additional check is to confirm the weight that hasbeen added to the bin from the contents of the scanned package ofmicro-ingredient. The bar code information typically includes the weightof the package. A weight comparison can be made to ensure that theweight added to the bin matches the same weight as the amount of thescanned micro-ingredient removed from the package. If the entire packageor bag of the micro-ingredient is used, a simple comparison can be madeof the listed package weight with the weight added to the bin. The binsmay be mounted on weight scales and the increase in weight can bemeasured. If less than the entire package is added, the remaining amountin the package can be weighed on a separate scale and then compared withthe added weight to the bin. This weight comparison effort can beincorporated in the automated operation cycle of the micro-ingredientdelivery system whereby the compared weights can be recorded. In theevent of an unacceptable variance, a remedial action can be taken toagain confirm the identity of the added micro-ingredient. The controllercan provide a recommended remedial action in the form of anotheruser-interface message.

Various levels of user authorization can be provided to allowoperators/supervisors to gain access to the bins of the micro-ingredientdelivery system. The levels of authorization could be implemented in auser-password scheme in the master controller. For somemicro-ingredients, it may be desirable to require a higher level ofauthorization to gain access to those bins. For example, for use ofmedications or other government-controlled ingredients, it may beadvantageous to provide only selected access, such as by a supervisor.

The controller may also provide real-time inventory and ingredient datacollection functions in accordance with the particular animal managementsystem that is used. Feed batching data may be collected by thecontroller in an ingredient inventory function specified by the animalmanagement system. The data captured from the bar code labels of thepackages, such as the identity of the manufacturers and lot members canbe recorded with respect to each corresponding batch of feed ration.

It is also contemplated that calculations can be made to provide a closeapproximation of when an ingredient lot number change has taken placebetween different batches of feed rations by analyzing feed dispensingdata from the delivery system. Typically, the bins hold more of themicro-ingredients then are necessary to complete the next scheduled feedbatch. Thus, as different feed batches are prepared, the particular lotnumbers of the micro-ingredients delivered to the feed batches may bemixed between the batches. The calculations made can result in accurateestimations as to the lot numbers of each micro-ingredient found in eachbatch. These calculations thereby enhance reporting capabilities withrespect to the lot numbers of micro-ingredients added to each batch.

Various other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent by a review of the foregoing detailed description, takenin conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the basic components of amicro-ingredient delivery system incorporating the controlled bin accessof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a micro-ingredient bin with accesscontrol features incorporated thereon, namely, a locking device and aswitch;

FIG. 3 illustrates another type of bin used to store micro-ingredientsto include the control access features of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates another type of bin that may be used to storemicro-ingredients therein and illustrating how the controlled accessfeatures of the present invention may be incorporated thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a micro-ingredient delivery systemthat can be used to store, dispense, and convey micro-ingredients to afeed mixer or feed truck. It shall be understood that the controlled binaccess feature of the present invention can be used with any type ofmicro-ingredient delivery system wherein bins or containers are used tostore the micro-ingredients prior to delivery to a feed ration.Accordingly, the particular types of equipment shown in FIG. 1 as wellas the manner in which the equipment is used in the system are simplyprovided for an understanding of how one particular micro-ingredientdelivery system can be arranged.

An external animal management system 10 communicates with amicro-ingredient delivery system master controller 11. The externalanimal management system specifies the types of rations that are to beprepared to include the particular micro-ingredients that should beadded to designated feed rations. The information from the managementsystem may be received electronically, as through a communicationsnetwork such as a local area network, the Internet, or others. Themaster controller 11 may include both a computing devices such as apersonal computer 14, and a PLC 18. The computing device 14 has a userinterface/monitor 12 enabling a user to view functions of themicro-ingredient delivery system to include the amounts and types ofmicro-ingredients to be conveyed to the feed mixer, along with any otherinformation that may be necessary for an operator to control themicro-ingredient delivery system. Typically, the master controller isuser name/password protected for access to the automated deliverysequence operations. As one part of the overall computer softwareprogram for the delivery system, access is provided to the bins by userinterfaces made available on the master controller. A conventional datainput device 16, shown as a keyboard, is used to provide the operatorwith the ability to generate commands in order to control the system, toinclude functions associated with access control. Those skilled in theart can envision other data input devices to include mouses, touchscreens, and others, it being understood that such input devices couldalso be placed at remote locations from the computing device in order toprovide the most user-friendly control of the delivery system. The PLC20 as shown may include its own user interface screen as necessary tobest provide user control. In lieu of the use of a PLC, the personalcomputer may nave an input/output card allowing the computer to send theappropriate signals to the various pieces of equipment in the system andto receive signals back from the equipment for processing.

The micro-ingredient delivery system typically includes a number ofstorage bins or bins that hold the micro-ingredients. In the example ofFIG. 1, there are two storage bins 22 that are especially adapted forholding dry micro-ingredients, as well as two bins 40 that areespecially adapted for holding liquid micro-ingredients. The storagebins 20 and 40 are illustrated as having corresponding removable coversor lids 23 and 41. The covers or lids are removed to gain access to theinterior of the bins to add the micro-ingredients or to clean theinteriors of the bins. The storage bins 22 may include a correspondingdispensing device such as an auger 24. Augers can accurately metermicro-ingredients held in the storage bins into respective hoppers 28,or directly into respective receiving tanks. A valve 29 may control therelease of the micro-ingredients from the hoppers 28 into respectivereceiving tanks 30. The micro-ingredients are then conveyed by thedownstream conveying lines 38 to the feed mixer/feed truck 32. Upstreamlines 36 may be used to provide the motive force for transferring themicro-ingredients. For example, lines 36 may receive liquid to conveythe micro-ingredients in a slurry form, or lines 36 can be pressurizedfrom an air source (not shown) thereby causing the micro-ingredients tobe conveyed pneumatically to the feed mixer/feed truck 32. The valves 34control release of the micro-ingredients from the respective receivingtanks 30 into main delivery lines 38.

FIG. 1 also shows one manner in which liquid micro-ingredients may beconveyed to the feed mixer/feed truck 32. One liquid bin 40 has adispense line 47 connected to a metering pump 46 that then meters theliquid micro-ingredient through a intermediate line 48 and into the maindelivery line 38. In an alternate method of dispensing, the other liquidbin 40 has a dispense line 47 connected to a pressurizing pump 42 whichprovides a pressurized flow of the liquid micro-ingredient through aninline flow meter 44 which then measures the amount of liquid deliveredto intermediate line 48 and then into the main delivery line 38.

Those skilled in the art can envision other methods by which both thesolid and the liquid micro-ingredients may be dispensed and conveyed tothe feed mixer/feed truck, it being understood that the presentinvention is not strictly limited to any particular method.

A bar code reader device 50 communicates with the computing device 11for scanning a bar code associated with each package ofmicro-ingredients. The bar code fields include data on the packagedmicro-ingredient such as the type of micro-ingredient, the weight of themicro-ingredient in the package, the manufacturer, the manufacturer lotnumber, and any additional information that may be provided by themicro-ingredient manufacturer/distributor. The scanned information istransferred and stored in the computing device, and the data is used inproviding the instructions to the PLC in executing an automated deliverysequence of selected micro-ingredients. Assuming the correctmicro-ingredient has been scanned, this would enable the correspondingassigned bin 22/40 to be opened by placing the corresponding lockingdevice 54 in an unlocked position.

The locking device 54 may include any number of commercially knownlocking devices that enable the cover or lids of the bins to be securedto the bin bodies. One example of a locking device that may beincorporated includes solenoid cabinet locks, such as those sold bySecuritron Magnalock Corporation of Sparks, Nevada. These types ofcabinet locks include a lock body that mounts on the fixed body of thebin, and a keeper that mounts on the cover or lid. A solenoid controlledlocking element 55 is actuated to lock or unlock the lock body to thekeeper. As best seen in FIG. 2, such a cabinet lock is illustratedhaving two components. The first component or lock body 57 is mounted tothe bin and includes the actuatable locking element 55, and the othercomponent or keeper 59 is mounted to the cover 23. FIG. 2 alsoillustrates a contact switch 56 that provides an input to the PLC toindicate whether the lid has been removed or is secured to the body ofthe bin.

FIG. 1 also illustrates an access control device 52 that communicateswith both the PLC and the personal computer. This access control device52 is provided to allow a user, such as maintenance personnel, to obtainaccess to the bins without having to gain access to the delivery systemthrough the master controller 11. This access control device allows auser to lock and unlock any of the locking devices in themicro-ingredient delivery system. Use of this separate access controlelement may be desirable to provide access by maintenance personnelduring non-operational hours of the micro-ingredient delivery system, orat other times when access is required to the bin, but theoperator/supervisor is not available to grant access. Thus, the accesscontrol device 52 simply allows a separate access to the bins for thepurposes of conducting maintenance, repair or other actions that mayneed to take place with respect to micro-ingredients within the bins orthe associated bins themselves. Various types of access control systemsmay be employed, such as card readers, RFID readers, as well asbiometric identity verification systems. The access control deviceverifies the identity of the person desiring to gain access to the bins,and if proper identification is provided, the access control devicesends a signal to the PLC and/or personal computer requesting that oneor more selected bin locks be opened or closed. Accordingly, an outputsignal is generated by the PLC to open or close the selected lock(s).The electronic link with the personal computer allows reports to begenerated for information such as when the remote access device wasactivated, which bin locks were opened and closed, which covers wereopened or closed, and the identity of the requester.

FIG. 3 illustrates a liquid micro-ingredient bin 40, as well as alocking device 54 and contact switch 56 both mounted to the bin. FIG. 3also illustrates the liquid micro-ingredient bin 40 sitting on a scale60 and the scale resting on a support 58. A scale display 62 extendsfrom the base of the scale 60. Thus with respect to FIG. 3, delivery ofthe liquid micro-ingredients in bin 40 can be measured by loss inweight, a method that is well known in the art. The locking devices 54and switches 56 of the liquid bins operate in the same manner asdescribed with respect to use of those elements on the drymicro-ingredient bins 22.

FIG. 4 illustrates another type of micro-ingredient bin arrangement thatmay be used for storage of dry micro-ingredients. As shown, a pair ofside-by-side bins 64 includes a common a lid 66 with a center hinge 68that interconnects opposing panels 70. Each of the panels 70 covers therespective openings of the side-by-side bins 64. Locking devices 54 aremounted to both panels 70, as well as contact switches 56 also beingincorporated on both panels 70. Depending upon the feed ration to beprepared, the bins 64 may hold the same or different micro-ingredientstherein. The center hinge 68 of the cover is secured to a divider 69that separates the bins. An upper housing flange 72 allows convenientmounting of the first parts of the locking devices and switches, whilethe second parts of the locking devices and switches are mounted on theupper surface of the panel 70.

Although FIGS. 2-4 show specific types of bin/bins for holdingmicro-ingredients, it shall be understood that any number of differenttypes of bins may be suitable for incorporation of locking devices thatrestrict access to the bins. Thus, the particular shape and size of thebins and covers as disclosed herein are not to be construed as the onlyones capable of having integral locking devices and switches.

By the controlled bin access of the present invention, some problems canbe eliminated or greatly reduced with respect to the delivery of thecorrect micro-ingredients to a feed ration. Controlled bin access inaccordance with the present invention prevents any reasonable likelihoodthat the wrong micro-ingredient will be added to a bin. Thus,cross-contamination between micro-ingredients added to a feed ration canalso be greatly reduced. Overall system security is improved byproviding restricted access to the bins. By use of the bar scanningdevice enabling direct transfer of data regarding micro-ingredientsadded to the bins, more accurate inventory control can be achievedwhich, in turn, allows more accurate reporting capabilities. Clearly,lot number tracking is made easier by entry of the lot numberinformation directly from the bar codes, and calculations made regardingthe dispensing of the micro-ingredients from the bins allows accurateestimation as to lot numbers for each feed ration batch. Becauseinformation can be recorded with respect to when the bins are opened andclosed, this information can be used to determine if there were anyunauthorized actions taken to access the bins, it being presumed thatall access actions can be recorded as to their purpose, such as charginga bin or performing maintenance on the bin. Data indicating that thebins were accessed at odd times or not during scheduled maintenancetimes may provide a warning that some unauthorized access has been madeto the bins.

In accordance with the method of the present invention, batch ingredientrequirements are first established, such as those requirements that maybe directed by the external animal management system. In other words,batch orders may be received from the management system directing thetype of feed rations to be prepared to include the mix ofmicro-ingredients to be added to the bulk ingredients at the feedmixer/feed truck. The various bins available in the micro-ingredientdelivery system must then be designated to hold assignedmicro-ingredients based on the batch orders from the management system.Minimum bin loading requirements must also be established for each binto hold an amount of the designated micro-ingredient to satisfy thebatch orders for the day or other designated time period. Accessconditions are also established to define when and under whatcircumstances the bins can be accessed. For example, as discussed above,there may be times when the bins should be made available formaintenance while at other times, no access to the bins should begranted, except for perhaps supervisor/administrator level access. Asalso discussed above, access to the bins would be denied if the wrongmicro-ingredient package was scanned in an attempt to charge aparticular bin with that micro-ingredient. Access security levels mustalso be established in order to grant access to authorized individuals.As also discussed above, the access control device can be used foraccess to the bins for maintenance personnel or others who have a needto access during times in which the micro-delivery system is notoperating and no operators/supervisors are available for grantingaccess. After achieving the foregoing steps, micro-ingredient deliverysystem operations can take place where the bin locks are opened orclosed in accordance with commands generated from the master controllerand/or the access control device. Various user interfaces can beprovided, such as user interface screens, printed reports, or audible orvisual warning devices in order to convey the access statuses of thebins.

The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. Further, the description isnot intended to limit the invention to the forms disclosed herein.Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the aboveteachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art are withinthe scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein arefurther intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicingthe invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize theinvention and other various modifications required by their particularapplication or use of the invention. Thus, it is intended that theclaims be construed to include the alternative embodiments to the extentpermitted by the prior art.

1. A system for controlling access to bins used in a micro-ingredientdelivery system, said system comprising: at least one bin for holding amicro-ingredient therein, said bin having an opening for receiving themicro-ingredients, and a cover placed over said opening for maintainingsaid micro-ingredients; a locking device incorporated on said bin forlocking said cover to said bin; a switch incorporated on said bin forindicating whether said bin is in an open or closed position; and acontroller communicating with said locking device and said switch, saidcontroller including a micro-processor, computer coded instructions, andan interface means for setting said locking device between a locked andunlocked position based on said computer coded instructions.
 2. Asystem, as claimed in claim 1, further including: a bar code devicecommunicating with said controller, said bar code device having ascanner for scanning bar codes on micro-ingredient packaging, and saidbar code device providing data transfer to said controller ofidentifying data regarding scanned packaging intended to be added tosaid at least one bin, and wherein said controller compares saididentifying data to authorized micro-ingredients in the system todetermine whether access can be granted to said at least one bin.
 3. Asystem, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said controller comprises a PLC.4. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said controller comprises apersonal computer and a PLC.
 5. A system, as claimed in claim 1,wherein: said cover comprises a panel that covers said opening of saidbin, and said locking device comprises a first part mounted on said bin,and a second part mounted on said panel.
 6. A system, as claimed inclaim 3, wherein: said switch comprises a pair of electrical contactsplaced in contact with one another when said cover is placed over saidopening of said bin.
 7. A method of controlling access to bins used in amicro-ingredient delivery system, said method comprising the steps of:providing a bin for housing a micro-ingredient therein, said bincomprising an opening for receiving the micro-ingredients, and a coverremovably placed over said opening; providing a locking deviceintegrated with said bin for locking said cover with respect to saidopening of said bin; providing a controller communicating with saidlocking device; providing a micro-ingredient to be placed in the bin;scanning a barcode incorporated on packaging containing saidmicro-ingredient, said barcode providing data that identifies themicro-ingredient; recording information from said barcode in saidcontroller; determining whether said barcode information entered matchesan authorized ingredient to be placed in said bin; actuating saidlocking device by said controller based upon the barcode data, whereinif said micro-ingredient is authorized for said bin, said locking deviceis opened, and if said, micro-ingredient is not authorized, said lockingdevice remains in a locked position.
 8. A method, as claimed in claim 7,wherein: said bin further includes a contact switch communicating withsaid controller indicating whether said bin is opened or closed.
 9. Amethod, as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the steps of:recording data regarding an authorized micro-ingredient added to saidbin, said data including an amount and type of the micro-ingredient, lotnumber, and time and date when said micro-ingredient was added to thebin.
 10. A system for controlling access to bins used in amicro-ingredient delivery system, said system comprising: at least onebin for holding a micro-ingredient therein, said bin having an openingfor receiving the micro-ingredients, and a cover placed over saidopening for maintaining said micro-ingredients; means incorporated onsaid bin for restricting access to said bin; means incorporated on saidbin for indicating whether said bin is in an open or closed position;and a controller communicating with said means for restricting and saidmeans for indicating, said controller including a micro-processor,computer coded instructions, and a user interface for setting said meansfor restricting between a locked and unlocked position based on commandsgenerated from said computer coded instructions.
 11. A system, asclaimed in claim 10, further including: a bar code device communicatingwith said controller, said bar code device having a scanner for scanningbar codes on micro-ingredient packaging, and said bar code deviceproviding data transfer to said controller of identifying data regardingscanned packaging intended to be added to said at least one bin, andwherein said controller compares said identifying data to authorizedmicro-ingredients in the system to determine whether access can begranted to said at least one bin.
 12. A system, as claimed in claim 10,wherein: said controller comprises a PLC.
 13. A system, as claimed inclaim 10, wherein: said controller comprises a personal computer and aPLC.
 14. A system, as claimed in claim 10, wherein: said cover comprisesa panel that covers said opening of said bin, and said means forrestricting comprises a first part mounted on said bin, and a secondpart mounted on said panel.
 15. A system, as claimed in claim 10,wherein: said means for indicating comprises a switch having a pair ofelectrical contacts placed in contact with one another when said coveris placed over said opening of said bin.
 16. A system, as claimed inclaim 10, wherein: said controller comprises a personal computer havingan input/output card.
 17. A method of controlling access to bins used ina micro-ingredient delivery system, said method comprising the steps of:providing a bin for housing a micro-ingredient therein, said bincomprising an opening for receiving the micro-ingredients, and a coverremovably placed over said opening; providing a locking deviceintegrated with said bin for locking said cover with respect to saidopening of said bin; providing a controller communicating with saidlocking device; providing a micro-ingredient to be placed in the bin;determining access conditions defining the conditions under which theaccess can be granted to opening the cover of the at least one bin; andactuating said locking device by said controller based upon the accessconditions, wherein if a micro-ingredient is authorized to be loaded insaid bin according to said access conditions, said locking device isopened, and if said micro-ingredient is not authorized, said lockingdevice remains in a locked position.
 18. A method, as claimed in claim17, further including the steps of: scanning a barcode incorporated onpackaging containing said micro-ingredient, said barcode providing datathat identifies the micro-ingredient; recording information from saidbarcode in said controller; determining whether said barcode informationentered matches an ingredient authorized to be placed in said bin;actuating said locking device by said controller based upon the barcodedata, wherein if said micro-ingredient is authorized for said bin, saidlocking device is opened, and if said micro-ingredient is notauthorized, said locking device remains in a locked position.